feel

verb

\ ˈfēl

felt\ˈfelt

\; feeling

Definition of feel

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b : to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles) He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2a : to undergo passive experience of continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b : to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by felt the insult deeply

3 : to ascertain by cautious trial —usually used with out feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4a : to be aware of by instinct or inference feel trouble brewing

b : believe, think say what you really feel

5 US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well. —Scott Sugarman When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me? —Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1a : to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b : to search for something by using the sense of touch She felt in her purse for her keys.

2a : to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition I feel sick.

b : to have a marked sentiment or opinion feels strongly about it

3 : seem it feels like spring today

4 : to have sympathy or pity I feel for you

feel like

: to have an inclination for feel like a walk?

feel

noun

Definition of feel (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : sensation, feeling

2 : the sense of touch

3a : the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

b : typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

4 : intuitive knowledge or ability

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about feel

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Synonyms for feel

Synonyms: Verb

perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste

Synonyms: Noun

feeling, sensation, sense

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb

He felt a sudden pain in his leg. I could feel the warmth of the sun. I felt someone tap my shoulder. Do you feel a draft? She felt the fabric to see if it was wool. Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Noun

the feel of old leather Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique. He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Brice Loose can tell you exactly what an elephant seal feels like: a furry inflatable squishy toy, not quite as hard as a basketball. — Kasha Patel, Smithsonian, "How Data-Gathering Seals Help Scientists Measure the Melting Antarctic," 13 July 2018 Having said that, the Justice Department’s decision to appeal its lost case against the merger feels like a waste of government time and money. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "Trump Diplomacy, Wilbur Ross, China Surplus: CEO Daily for July 13, 2018," 13 July 2018 But the weather will soon start feeling more like July, said National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Dang. — Anna Buchmann, sacbee, "Here’s why it was cloudy with morning sprinkles in Sacramento. How long will it last?," 13 July 2018 And while increasingly difficult to articulate, Key West’s brand of camp reflects Wolkowsky’s understanding — never on the nose, always sideways, a place where anonymity feels like an innate right. — Krista Stevens, Longreads, "The Town That Camp Built," 12 July 2018 Making that woman into a revolutionary hero feels like a difficult leap. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "The Handmaid’s Tale season 2 was masterful. But it may have broken the show.," 11 July 2018 In an industry built on numbers, Mr. Daly believes in emotions and that employees who feel good will do good work. — Christina Rexrode, WSJ, "Meet the CEO of ‘America’s Most Exciting Bank’—at Least as He’s Branded It," 13 July 2018 Retired Fort Wayne Police officer Dan Camp expressed the frustration so many feel. — Vic Ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana child killer who taunted police featured on Investigation Discovery," 13 July 2018 The Haseltines intend to host activities — including games from Clue to Jenga — as a way to make customers feel at home. — Don Stacom, Courant Community, "New Brewery Looks to Offer Craft Beer In Bristol By End of 2018," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Like the feel of a favorite reading nook, this palette feels cozy, warm, and timeless. — Marisa Spyker, ajc, "Here is your sneak peek of the 6 color palettes you’ll see everywhere in 2019," 13 July 2018 As for the rooftop park, designed by Berkeley’s PWP Landscape Architecture, the trees already have a forest-like feel, such as the grove of redwoods interspersed with cedars above Fremont Street. — John King, SFChronicle.com, "S.F.’s long-awaited Salesforce Transit Center sets opening date for Aug. 12," 10 July 2018 The men’s and women’s footwear has earned a loyal following because of the designs’ springy and spongy feel, an asset to those who stand all day at work, according to the corporate website. — Rene Wisely, Detroit Free Press, "Kybun Joya Shoes, sports collectibles, sushi, whiskey fill downtowns," 9 July 2018 The small community in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood that has housed Croatians for over a century has a very European feel to it, too. — Shaun Goodwin, kansascity, "A small Kansas City bar plays host to generations of Croatian soccer fans," 7 July 2018 That combination produced a stifling heat index, or measure of how hot the air feels, of 110 degrees. — Jason Samenow, Washington Post, "Heat index swells to 110 in Washington, hottest of the summer," 3 July 2018 Has a vintage feel, like a shirt Bruce Springsteen might have worn in the ’80s to play Asbury Park. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "The Chambray Shirt: Why Every Man Needs This All-American Staple," 3 July 2018 This album is long on feels, short on bops, and gets boring. — Allison P. Davis, The Cut, "What Songs Should You Listen To on Scorpion?," 29 June 2018 The serial killer plot in the first book particularly has that frenzied kitchen-sink feel: there is not one but two killers, targeting scores of victims over many decades. — Alice Bolin, Longreads, "The Daughter as Detective," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.